FSU a test in adversity

Wednesday

Nov 26, 2008 at 6:51 PM

For the past two months, everything has come almost too easy for the Florida Gators.

By Robbie AndreuStaff writer

For the past two months, everything has come almost too easy for the Florida Gators.They've jumped on opponents and put them away early.They've outscored the opposition 122-0 in the first quarter.They've scored in all three phases - offense, defense, special teams.They've had the luxury of resting their starters in the fourth quarter.They've not trailed in a game since the loss to Ole Miss in September.They've won the last seven games by an average score of 52.7-10.2.They've never been seriously threatened.There has been precious little drama and zero adversity.So what happens if bad things happen in Tallahassee on Saturday? What happens if the Seminoles jump on the Gators early? What happens if Florida gets punched in the face by adversity and there's suddenly some pressure bearing down on the Gators?It's hard to answer those question because Florida has not been in these type of situations since way back on Sept. 27 in that 31-30 loss to Mississippi."We better respond in the right way," UF defensive line coach Dan McCarney said. "We could be behind and that sure hasn't happened in this seven-game run we've been on. If we do, we have to respond and handle adversity just like we've handled success the past few weeks."It's been a long time since we played into the fourth quarter with our starters. The last time we did, those results were not what we wanted. We've got to be ready for that, a four-quarter game. If we have to block a kick or stop a throw or score from the 1-yard line the fourth quarter, we've got to do it."Over the past seven games, the Gators have shown they are very comfortable playing with the lead. Cornerback Joe Haden said it relaxes them and lets them play looser and with more confidence.Obviously, the Seminoles would like to knock the Gators out of their comfort zone and see how they respond in the most hostile environment Florida has faced since the Sept. 20 Tennessee game in Knoxville.FSU quarterback Christian Ponder said earlier this week it is vital for the Seminoles to get off to a fast start Saturday and gain the early lead.That would put the Gators in a position they've not been in for the last two months."We just have to be ready for anything that comes," offensive coordinator Dan Mullen said. "You better play hard. The way our team plays as a team in all three phases, I think they're ready for that adversity, and to stick together and to fight through anything (negative) that pops its head up."I think the maturity of our team (will help). When you're clicking in all three phases of the game, it becomes a little easier to overcome any adversity. There doesn't become a panic. If we make a mistake (on offense), the defense will step up, or the special teams will make a play."There's no panic. Our players believe in the whole team picture. We'll be ready to deal with adversity."The Gators are expecting it. They're expecting a close game, and with a close game (especially on the road, against your arch-rival), comes adversity.That's why UF has been spending extra time at the end of each practice this week working on the two-minute offense. This game could come down to a final drive, a final play."We're going to finish practice with a hard, real-game situation," UF coach Urban Meyer said. "And we're going to give it (to the players). It's going to be no-huddle at the end of the game to go win it."That's a possible scenario the Gators have not been involved in for a long time."It's a concern," Meyer said. "The best thing to do is make practice very difficult. We have adversity every Tuesday (with a long, physical practice). You hope you have some toughness and good character guys, which I believe we do. That is a concern, though."We're going to try to prepare them. But you have to bring your toughness and you have to bring your defense on the road."

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